Chapter 143: Sisters United in Heart

Wen Yao held the old lady’s arm, her eyes filled with heartache.

Madam Luo patted her arm reassuringly and said, "Since your eldest brother says this can be done, then let’s give it a try. Eldest, continue."

Madam Luo sat back down, refraining from interrupting Wen Xiuyi this time. Even Old Man Wen sat silently beside his wife to show his support.

Indeed, children and grandchildren have their own fortunes. They were old now; whatever kind of life the children managed to build for themselves in the future would be up to them. He could see that his second and third sons, as well as both daughters-in-law, were eager to work under the eldest. If nothing else, the transformation of the eldest’s family over the past six months was enough to earn his trust.

As for the possibility of losing money in the future, it didn't matter. If the worst came to the worst, they would just start over.

Wen Xiuyi glanced at his two younger brothers and asked, "What about you two? What do you say?"

Wen Xiuzhu was still hesitant. After all, fifty taels of silver was their entire family fortune, including the money set aside for their parents' burial. The eldest brother’s family was different now, but their own family remained as it had always been. However, since the family had separated, they couldn't always rely on the eldest’s generosity.

Just as Wen Xiuzhu wavered, Madam Li made up her mind. "Big brother, we will follow your lead."

Madam Li’s reasoning was simple: their two sons were growing up, and although their daughter was still young, they had to consider their future. Fortune favors the bold, while the timid starve. She and her husband were still young; if they took this risk and succeeded, they would have a life of endless prosperity. If they failed, they could just start over.

Madam Cai held similar thoughts to Madam Li, but she was more concerned about her son Wen Jin, who was studious, and the memory of Wen Di’s longing for the guqin that day, which had deeply pained her motherly heart. Even if it were only for the children, she had to take this gamble.

"Big brother, we will follow your lead." Madam Cai spoke first, which surprised everyone, as matters in the third son’s household had always been decided by the third son, with his wife simply listening.

Since the wives had spoken, the two brothers accepted their decision.

Having received his brothers’ and sisters-in-law’s confirmation, Wen Xiuyi became serious. "Then let’s plan this out properly."

The discussion lasted until late into the night.

"It’s getting late, let’s stop here for today. Eldest, come with me to find the village head tomorrow morning," Old Man Wen said, standing up and stretching his limbs. The others followed suit.

Wen Xiuyi nodded and used his foot to smudge the drawings on the ground. The plan was set; now it was time for implementation.

Early the next morning, Wen Xiuyi was called away by Old Man Wen, and Madam Luo came to find Wen Yao.

"In a while, your second uncle will drop off Datou and the others, then you come with me to see your great-aunt."

Wen Yao guessed the old lady’s intention. "Grandma, are you planning to bring Great-aunt’s family into this?"

Madam Luo did not deny it. "Yes, this is a craft your great-grandmother taught both of us. Actually, your great-grandmother’s generation used to make it to sell, but later, when business wasn't good, they stopped and only made it for family consumption. Since you’ve presented me with such a good opportunity, I can’t let your efforts go to waste. I have to step up and make a real go of it."

Wen Yao nudged the old lady and encouraged her, "That’s right! Grandma, no matter how old we are, we should have our own careers. Look, hasn't the opportunity come?"

Madam Luo laughed and pinched Wen Yao’s nose dotingly. "You clever girl, you have such a sweet tongue. We don’t even know if your great-aunt will agree. Their family is better off than ours, and they recently married in a capable daughter-in-law. I heard your second cousin even secured a position at the yamen."

"Oh? Really? Second cousin started working at the yamen?" Wen Yao was surprised. In any era, having a government job was quite an achievement.

Madam Luo nodded. "Yes, I heard your second cousin’s former superior wrote a letter of recommendation. Your second cousin had performed meritorious service, and now that he’s returned to his hometown injured, his superior took care of him and found him a job guarding the prison at the yamen. A jailer doesn't have to run around all day, which is quite good. He receives a monthly stipend, enough to support the family."

"I suppose it gives him a future." Regardless of the era, Wen Yao’s respect for soldiers was limitless.

By the time Wen Xiuzhu returned from dropping off Wen Jun and the others, he didn't even let the dog, Dahuang, have a drink of water before turning back around to take Wen Yao and Madam Luo to the Cui residence.

The younger Madam Luo did not expect her elder sister to visit at this hour and hurriedly welcomed them inside. Jiao Yang’s new bride poured tea and brought it in.

"Yue Niang, don’t trouble yourself," Madam Luo said gently. She was quite fond of this niece-in-law; she appeared quiet, well-mannered, and since marrying Jiao Yang, she had been a filial daughter-in-law and a capable homemaker.

Jiang Yueniang smiled, greeted her aunt, and stood behind the younger Madam Luo.

"Elder sister, why are you here?" the younger Madam Luo asked.

Madam Luo didn't beat around the bush and stated her purpose directly. The younger Madam Luo was stunned.

"This... sister, you aren't teasing me, are you?"

Yao Yao had been working with the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, and now she had brought her elder sister a new business? Could the pickled vegetables they made together actually be sold for money?

The younger Madam Luo was stunned. Although their family was indeed better off than others, who didn't want a better life? She certainly did.

Madam Luo guessed her reaction and laughed. "Why would I tease you? Yao Yao and I came today specifically for this. This craft was taught to us by Mother; I couldn't earn money myself without thinking of you. Besides, I can’t manage it all alone, so I came to ask you what you think."

Upon hearing this, the younger Madam Luo nodded incessantly. "I’m willing! Elder sister, of course I’m willing. I just sit at home all day anyway, I might as well join you. What was it Yao Yao called it? Building a career—yes, building a career."

Wen Yao chuckled. "Great-aunt, then it’s settled. You and Grandma can discuss how to split the profits yourselves, and then I’ll draw up a formal agreement for you."

The younger Madam Luo brushed it off immediately. "What need is there for an agreement?"

Madam Luo interjected, "It’s necessary. Family or not, accounts must be clear. This is what I’m thinking: since Rongrong needs a large quantity, we should start a small workshop. Where do you think we should put it?"

The younger Madam Luo exchanged a look with her daughter-in-law, considered it, and said, "Sister, put it at your place. It’s not just that our homes are far apart and it would be inconvenient for you to travel back and forth, but there’s no one home during the day besides Yue Niang and me, as everyone else has gone to the city to work. If there were any petty thieves, it wouldn't be easy to handle. Besides, didn't you say you still need to raise ducks and such? If the workshop is at your place, you can keep an eye on things, and Yue Niang and I can come over to help when we aren't busy."